Adoption legislation in Scotland has always allowed the adopted person access to his/her original birth certificate. This is obtained through New Register House, Edinburgh and provides the original name of the adopted person and the birth parent/s' name and address at the time of the child's birth.

The adopted person also has the right to read the Court records of his/her adoption, which are held either at the Sheriff Court where the order was granted, or at the Scottish Records Office in Edinburgh. Access can be arranged through the Sheriff Clerk or Keeper of the Records. These records may provide useful background information and should state the name of any agency involved in the adoption.

The agency records are often the most helpful source of information. All such records are required to be kept for at least 75 years, and the records of agencies which no longer exist are held by other responsible agencies. Scottish Adoption has the responsibility for the previous Lothian Social Work Departments and their predecessors; the Church of Scotland and the Episcopal Church, in addition to their own records.

As well as individual counselling, from time to time we also offer group meetings where adopted people can discuss and share common experience.